By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Ryan Dwyer’s statistics tell the story of one of Northeast Ohio’s best quarterbacks in 2024.

Thirteen touchdowns against only three interceptions.

Aurora quarterback Ryan Dwyer has thrown for more than 1,100 yards and has 13 touchdowns this season, despite regularly playing only half of games because of lopsided scores.
Steve Golton/Special to Portage Sports

A completion percentage of 69.7.

Zero sacks allowed for the entire season.

And 1,115 yards through the air.

All while leading the Aurora Greenmen to a brilliant 8-0 record and outscoring opponents 380-63.

The numbers are sparkling, especially considering that lopsided scores have regularly limited him to first-half action only, but Dwyer’s path to the success certainly has not been.

His smile has always been there, don’t be mistaken.

Injury-free seasons have not been as easy to find.

As a sophomore, Dwyer tore the labrum in his left shoulder during the football season.

And so began a five-month recovery that robbed him of his basketball and baseball seasons.

As a junior, Dwyer tore the labrum in his right shoulder during the football season. He continued to play with the injury, wearing a brace that restricted movement, and forced him to play as the JV quarterback and varsity backup. However, he was suddenly thrust back in as the varsity starter because of an injury and led a spirited Week 10 league-title victory over Highland, including the game-winning touchdown throw in the fourth quarter, and an opening-round playoff victory over Alliance.

After the season, though, he began another grueling five-month recovery that once again stole his basketball and baseball seasons.

Now healthy, with two surgically repaired shoulders, the spotlight has finally found the 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback.

His coach, veteran Bob Mihalik, who played quarterback in high school, could not be happier or more proud of his senior.

“It has been a tough road for Ryan,” Mihalik said. “His resilience and positive mindset has been amazing. I could not be happier for the success he is experiencing.

“He has never complained or had a ‘why me’ attitude,” Mihalik added. “All of our conversations over those two years were always upbeat and positive. Even though he may have been struggling mentally, he never let it show. He did not want people to feel sorry for him — nor did he feel sorry for himself. He is such a great example of resilience and what it means to pick yourself up when you get knocked down.”

Dwyer’s support system and personality, combined with his love for the game and his teammates, were motivating factors to keep pushing for full recoveries that would allow him to step back onto the gridiron to lead the Greenmen.

“I think that love for the game, and more importantly, his love for his teammates, are reasons Ryan worked so hard to keep bouncing back from the injuries. This is such a special, tight-knit group of seniors, who truly are brothers both on and off the field,” said Mihalik, whose senior class has posted a 36-9 record over their careers, with the remainder of the 2024 season still ahead of them.

Ryan Dwyer tore the labrum in his left shoulder as a sophomore and tore the labrum in his right shoulder as a junior.
Steve Golton/Special to Portage Sports

This year’s undefeated mark has included contributions from all directions and from all position groups, but Dwyer’s consistency and intelligence as the offensive leader has lifted the Greenmen into new territories.

In fact, Dwyer’s ability to read and analyze games has him in Mihalik’s highest regard over the coach’s 24-year history.

“Ryan is in complete control of our offense. In my 24 years as a head coach, he is in my top three cerebral quarterbacks at Aurora. Quarterbacks who truly understand all the intricacies of our offense and understands the opponents’ coverages and adjusts accordingly in such a fast fashion,” Mihalik said. “I really believe this is the main reason why he has not been sacked in our first eight games. Yes, our offensive line has played very well, but Ryan gets the ball out so quickly. Whenever he sees a blitz, he attacks the weakness in the defense.”

They are the moments he has been waiting two years for.

Moments that exist on the field and not on the sideline.

Moments he is not ready to stop making.